American History X

3 Pages 736 Words

Timing is Everything

“An unreliable messenger stumbles into trouble, but a reliable messenger brings healing” (Proverbs 13:17).

American History X is an epic tale of a young boy named Danny who is greatly influenced by his brother Derek, a social revolutionary. Derek is portrayed as being both a leader and a supreme messenger. Although the words he spoke were powerful, the message he put forth encouraged hate. Danny, a product of his environment, was captivated to follow in his brother’s footsteps. Derek’s negative influence caused Danny to have a jaded perception of reality. Danny’s mind, body and soul became saturated in hate. After Derek’s life experience in jail, he realized the effects he had on his followers and his family was wrong, but he was just a little to late. His hatred cost him Danny, a confused teen who just looked up to his older brother. Timing is everything and Derek was just off with his timing.

Derek assumed a God like persona and was adored not just by Danny but also by hundreds of young adults. He was able to influence these people when they were feeling alone, angry, and in distress. Timing here was perfect for Derek; he was able to infect vulnerable minds with his thoughts, beliefs and attitudes. The young people started following his ideas and admiring him. The followers were scared individuals who saw hope and courage through someone with intelligence, wonder and vigor. They hung onto his every word and digested it all with a hunger appetite. The followers were overrun with acceptance and unity though acts of looting and horrible violence. They expressed their devotion by shaving their heads, singing wretched songs about killing others and they worshiped the confederate flat and the swastika. The unified group now saw that they world had to be changed and they would stop at nothing to fight for what they believe in; they could not be stopped.

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